Merced County dairy employee arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty, deputies say
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- Deputies arrested a dairy worker for alleged animal cruelty in Los Banos.
- Video evidence allegedly showed the worker shocking, whipping, and striking a cow.
- Authorities placed the cow under observation; no major injuries were reported.
A worker at a Merced County dairy farm has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty, Merced County Deputies said.
Merced County Animal Services officers responded to a dairy in the 20100 block of Copa De Orange Avenue in Los Banos on Sept. 21, to investigate allegations of a dairy employee abusing a cow at the location.
The employee, who authorities identified as Salvador Vargas, 28, of Los Banos, was arrested on suspicion of felony animal cruelty related charges, according to Deputy Alexandra Britton.
During their investigation, deputies said they located video evidence of the employee allegedly shocking and whipping the animal, as well as placing a water hose down the cow’s throat more than 50 times. It is also alleged that the employee was observed hitting the animal multiple times with a gate while it was in a cattle chute.
Britton said this type of behavior at dairy facilities appears to be relatively uncommon, as the sheriff’s office does not receive many reports of animal cruelty.
The Holstein cow was moved to a medical barn located at the diary farm for observation. Britton said the animal is recovering and does not appear to have suffered any major injuries. Authorities did not release the name of the dairy where the alleged incident occurred.
This incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office at 209-385-7445.